Titans Defeat Sabres For Schaefer's 300th Coaching Victory

UW-Oshkosh head women's volleyball coach Brian Schaefer won his 300th match in the Titans' 3-1 non-conference victory over Marian University on Tuesday (Oct. 28) in Kolf Sports Center.

The Titans (27-6), who were playing in their last regular-season home match of the season, took the contest in set scores of 25-19, 25-17, 19-25, 25-12.

Schaefer, who owns three NCAA Division III Midwest Region Coach of Year awards, has compiled a 300-97 record (.756 winning percentage) since taking over the UW-Oshkosh program midway through the 2004 season. He is the 10th WIAC coach to reach 300 wins.

Schaefer recorded his 100th victory against Illinois Wesleyan University on Oct. 6, 2007 and his 200th win against the University of Northwestern-St. Paul (Minn.) on Sept. 17, 2010. He is unbeaten in five matches against Marian University.

UW-Oshkosh's Mandy Trautmann had a match-high 28 digs against Marian University (10-18), while Katelyn Malcheski recorded nine kills and a match-best six blocks.

Nerissa Vogt added seven kills and five blocks, while Brooke Brinkman contributed nine kills, Lexi Thiel 28 assists and Allison Rueger seven kills. UW-Oshkosh played its entire 16-member roster.

The Titans held advantages over the Sabres in kills (49-33), hitting percentage (.200 to .123), assists (44-31), digs (74-64) and blocks (13-2).

UW-Oshkosh entered the match ranked nationally in the top 10 in total blocks (third), attacks (fourth), kills (sixth), assists (eighth) and digs (ninth). Individually, Trautmann ranked second in digs, while Malcheski was 22nd in kills and Vogt 26th in blocks.

UW-Oshkosh took its first lead of the match at 11-10 in the first set and never trailed the rest of the frame. Leading 18-17, the Titans went on a decisive four-point run that included kills by Brinkman and Malcheski.

The Titans got out to a 5-0 lead in Set 2 on Danielle Stoppenbach's serve. UW-Oshkosh extended its advantage to 10-3 and led each point. The Sabres closed the gap to 15-14, but UW-Oshkosh claimed 10 of the last 13 points, including the last three on kills by Brinkman. Marian University had four kills on -.100 hitting during the set.

UW-Oshkosh led 8-6 in Set 3 after the teams traded six-point runs. Marian University scored another six straight points for a 20-12 lead and hung on for the win. The Sabres outhit the Titans, .312 to .097, in the third set.

Leading 6-5 in the fourth set, UW-Oshkosh tallied 16 of the next 18 points and cruised to victory. The Titans registered 15 kills on .333 hitting in the final set. Stoppenbach, the lone UW-Oshkosh senior, converted a back-row attack to end the match on Senior Night.

Jessica Roberts had a match-high 18 kills for Marian University. The Sabres also received a match-best 31 assists from Amber Baker and 22 digs from Katrina Jansen.

The Titans take to the road for WIAC matches at UW-Superior on Friday (Oct. 31) and UW-Eau Claire on Saturday (Nov. 1).